8. Appreciate the benefits to be gained from interdisciplinary research and appreciate the potential pitfalls.

9. Describe the nature of the relationship between criminological research and policy.

10. Relate criminological theory to policy debates.

11. Read and critically assess empirical research studies in criminology.

12. Recognise the limitations of empirical data and understand how they can be misused.

13. Display a critical appreciation of major analytical methods and adopt a reflective approach to the discipline in general.

Brief description

The module will involve training in how to collect, interpret and use both quantitative and qualitative data in criminological research. The importance of interdisciplinary research, mixed-methods research designs and comparative studies will be emphasised.

PRIVATE STUDY
Students are expected to invest time in reading around the subject. As a rough guide, over the semester, we expect you to:
Attend lecture for 30 hours
Attend seminars for 6 hours
Prepare for seminars for 40 hours (about 13 hours per seminar)
Prepare for the coursework assignment for 40 hours (this should be spread over a number of weeks)
Revise for the examination for 40 hours
Conduct additional private study for 44 (about 4.5 hours per week)

Aims

The primary aim of this module is to provide students with a basic grounding in the fundamental principles of data collection and analysis. From a quantitative perspective they will be introduced to some basic techniques for handling statistical data. The emphasis will be on developing an intuitive understanding of statistical methods rather than the rigorous derivation of statistical techniques. As regards qualitative approaches, the core aim is to ensure that students gain an understanding of the principal methods and techniques for collecting and analysing qualitative data.

Content

1. An introduction to criminological research:

Why undertake research?

Who conducts criminological research?

How does the knowledge produced from such research activity differ from the knowledge obtained from other sources?

What is the relationship between criminological research and crime policy?

2. Theory and research:

The role of theory in the research process: theory construction and theory testing.